Abstract: An incoming call indicator for a telephone is structured to detect light emitted from a light source that is already present on the telephone, and that is illuminated in response to an incoming telephone call and/or waiting message. If the telephone utilizes different on/off cadences for the light to indicate external calls, internal calls, and/or waiting messages, then the cadence is detected, and an audio or visual output device is used to emit a signal corresponding to the specific detected event.